Abstract: There are provided dicysteine peptide tags for use with dimaleimide fluorescent labelling agents for the labelling and detection of specific protein targets. Peptide tags comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 are described.

Abstract: Regulating the level of glucose in the blood of an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. Uses include managing the symptoms of hyperglycaemia and associated conditions including diabetes. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a new native peptide designated herein as Dwarf Open Reading Frame, or DWORF. This peptide enhances the apparent activity of the SERCA pump, is positively inotropic and lusitropic, and therefore is provided as a therapeutic agent for disorders characterized by cytosolic calcium overload.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for the neonatal Fc receptor (in the following referred to as FcRn), and provides an FcRn binding polypeptide comprising the sequence EX2 X3 X4 AX6 X7 EIRWLPNL X16X17 X18 QRX21 AFIX25 X26LX28 X29. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such an FcRn binding polypeptide as an agent for modifying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and method related to variants of SPINK2 that bind to targets other than an endogenous target of SPINK2. In one embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. In further embodiments, an amino acid sequences encoded by nucleotide positions 4 to 42 and/or nucleotide positions 94 to 189 in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 flank the amino terminus and the carboxyl terminus, respectively, of the amino acid sequence. In another embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in which a conservative substitution, deletion, addition and/or insertion of 1 to 5 (inclusive) amino acids has occurred at amino acids other than the 1st Xaa to the 12th Xaa counting from the amino terminus.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for stimulating the formation of one or more extracellular matrix components that contain a lipoaminoacid derivative of the tripeptide carnosine such as N-Octanoyl Carnosine. Also provided are compositions containing N-Octanoyl Carnosine in combination with selected tripeptide and/or tetrapeptides as well as pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic compositions containing such compositions. The invention further provides methods of using the compositions and compositions of the invention to treat, alleviate, and/or ameliorate a symptom, condition, disorder, or disease of the skin or mucosa, wherein the symptom, condition, disorder, or disease is associated with changes in extracellular matrix components.

Abstract: The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions and kits comprising an asialoglycoprotein covalently attached to a polycation, and functional mammalian mitochondria that are at least partially purified and are electrostatically bound to the AsG-polycation molecule; as well as methods of their preparation and use.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are a YAP protein inhibiting polypeptide and application thereof. In particular, the present invention obtains a key binding site of YAP protein and TEAD, screens a polypeptide with best YAP inhibitory activity and modifies the polypeptide, such as adding a disulfide linkage, replacing an amino acid, removing and/or adding (for example, adding a cell-penetrating element), and finally screens and verifies the obtaining of a series of polypeptides with YAP protein activity inhibiting effect and good stability. Experiments show that the polypeptide of the present invention can effectively inhibit the binding activity between YAP protein and TEAD, thus providing good therapeutic effect on digestive tract tumors (especially liver cancer).

Abstract: Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) form hydrogels upon heating. The polypeptides can comprise the generic sequence (XPAVG)n (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein independently for each occurrence X can be any one of a number of different natural or unnatural amino acids, and n is chosen to determine the size of the protein. Hydrogels comprising the polypeptides have mechanical properties, including elastic modulus and fracture toughness, required for load-bearing applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating pathogenic bacterial infection (e.g., tuberculosis infection) in an animal comprising administering a peptide-based inhibitor of the STAT3-IL10 pathway or a nucleic acid encoding the peptide-based inhibitor to the animal. The invention also provides methods of treating chronic granulomatous disease and Wegener's granulomatosis in an animal comprising administering a peptide-based inhibitor of the STAT3-IL10 pathway or a nucleic acid encoding the peptide-based inhibitor to the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoy peptide or polypeptide consisting of a peptide sequence represented by the following Formula I: X1-Ala-X2-X3-Ile-Glu-X4 (I). It is noteworthy that the decoy peptide or polypeptide of the present invention significantly elevates phosphorylation levels of PLB by inhibiting PP1-mediated dephosphorylation. In addition, the decoy peptide or polypeptide provides cardio-protective effects by restoring of SERCA2a activity and inotropic effect of enhancing myocardial contractility. The present invention will contribute greatly to the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with PLB.

Abstract: A chimeric protein comprising a cytolytic ?-endotoxin portion and a heterologous polypeptide portion is provided. Nucleic acids encoding the chimeric protein are also provided. In some cases, the chimeric protein can be expressed in parasporal inclusions of Bacillus thuringiensis. In certain cases, the cytolytic ?-endotoxin portion can include Cyt1Aa, and the heterologous portion can include an insecticidal polypeptide. The chimeric protein can be expressed in a suitable B. thuringiensi cell and purified as parasporal inclusions. Also provided is a method of controlling insects by exposing an insect to a chimerical insecticidal protein.

Abstract: Nutritive polypeptides are provided herein. Also provided are various other embodiments including nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, recombinant microorganisms that make the polypeptides, vectors for expressing the polypeptides, methods of making the polypeptides using recombinant microorganisms, compositions and formulations that comprise the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides, compositions and formulations.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of treating Prader-Willi Syndrome. The method includes administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a composition containing a selective oxytocin receptor agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to inhibit replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negatively modulating or altering the cytoskeleton, more precisely the proteins forming the intermediate cytoskeletal filaments, wherein the the proteins are vimentin and/or keratin-10. The replication of the virus is inhibited in human cells by intervening in the structure of these proteins. The present invention is also related to the use of agents, including peptides and/or interfering RNA and/or lipidic compounds, the agents producing a negative modulation or alteration of the cytoskeleton to prevent or to treat the HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing endurance of a human subject through administration of alanyl-glutamine or alanyl-glutamine salt. The invention includes unexpected discovery of alanyl-glutamine or alanyl-glutamine salt enhancing durability and endurance of human subject independent of an increase in the blood glutamine level.

Abstract: Provided are non-naturally occurring cystine knot peptides (CKPs) that bind to VEGF-A. Additionally, provided are methods of using non-naturally occurring CKPs that bind to VEGF-A, including diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods. Non-naturally CKPs that bind low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foodstuff comprising feather hydrolysate for use in improving performance during exercise and/or improving recovery after exercise in a dog. It also relates to a method of improving the performance in a dog during exercise and/or improving recovery after exercise, the method comprising administering to a dog a foodstuff which comprises feather hydrolysate.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide compounds that regulate the complement system and methods of using these compounds. The invention is an isolated, purified peptide of 30 amino acids derived from human astrovirus protein, called CP1. The invention is directed to peptide compounds that are peptide mimetics, peptide analogs and/or synthetic derivatives of CP1 having, for example, internal peptide deletions and substitutions, deletions and substitutions at the N-terminus and C-terminus, and that are able to regulate complement activation. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutically effective amounts of the peptide compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient for treating a disease or condition associated with complement-mediated tissue damage.